Hugh Laurie: Britain hates me

House star says UK has 'slammed door' on him

By Anonymous

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Laurie is the star of US TV drama House in a role which has earned him a Golden Globe and a stack of Emmy nominations. He plays grumpy, painkiller-addicted medic Gregory House. But he told the Radio Times: “There’s a notion that I’ve sold out. Sold out what, exactly? There’s a peculiar British attitude that I took an oath I wouldn’t be successful, and reneged on it.” He has not been approached with any other job offers since joining the show four years ago: “I’m off the market.

Hugh Laurie claims Britain has turned its back on him

There’s no time to do anything else. The hours are relentless. I haven’t been offered anything in Britain either. The door slammed behind me, and that’s it." US fans are now acquainting themselves with Laurie’s old roles by watching DVDs of Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster and A Bit Of Fry And Laurie. The actor said: “Americans are more aware of the world outside, whereas in Britain we’re still resentful because we were swamped by American TV and films that at their best are terrific and give a huge amount of pleasure to the world.”

The star won a Golden Globe for his role in the US smash

Laurie, 48, is eager to work with Fry again. “I’d love to do anything with him, from a game of chess to a feature film. But I wouldn’t front shows like QI or Have I Got News For You. I’m no good as myself. I don’t hugely like me,” he said. The actor admitted experimenting with Vicodin, the prescription-only painkiller to which his character is addicted, while researching his role. “I wouldn’t recommend it - we have to be careful - but then again... if you’re not in pain, it gives a floaty, pleasurable feeling,” he said.

Hugh as Gregory House in the show

Although his American accent has earned praise, Laurie said he hates to watch himself on screen. “I don’t watch regularly. I avert my eyes when my children have it on. I hate seeing myself, but it’s even worse hearing my American accent. "I had no idea I sound so retarded, a dull monotone, full of clunking mistakes,” he said. While Laurie lives in California, his wife, Jo, and their three teenage children remain at home in north London.

As they were - with Stephen Fry in the 1980s

“It’s been a great strain, but all things come to an end - strains as well as delights - and we’ll get through,” he said, adding that if the show continues he will move his family over to the US. Although he has battled clinical depression before, Laurie insisted that fans should not read too much into photographs of him looking miserable. “I have a grumpy face and in repose look as if I’m about to jump off a bridge,” he said.